Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Composition
An ancient master of Frogger.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY - June 2008
The more I start to feel like I know my style of photography, the more I start to feel it change. One day I experiment with landscapes, the next with weird alternative processes. Either way, though, once in a while, I come back to photos, like this one, which just feel... right to me. They're simple, classic, elegant, almost completely centered in composition. I've felt for a really long time that it was all about composition. You could have the most interesting subject ever imagined in your photo, but if the composition is off, no one's going to look at the photo.
There's a lot of other factors that go into things, but ultimately, for me, the key is making sure the photo simply looks right. No tricks. No megapixels, no concern over focal length or shutter speed.
Thanks to the kid for refusing to look at the camera that day.
-=-
Olympus XA, expired Kodak Tri-X @400, Diafine.
An ancient master of Frogger.
Croton-on-Hudson, NY - June 2008
The more I start to feel like I know my style of photography, the more I start to feel it change. One day I experiment with landscapes, the next with weird alternative processes. Either way, though, once in a while, I come back to photos, like this one, which just feel... right to me. They're simple, classic, elegant, almost completely centered in composition. I've felt for a really long time that it was all about composition. You could have the most interesting subject ever imagined in your photo, but if the composition is off, no one's going to look at the photo.
There's a lot of other factors that go into things, but ultimately, for me, the key is making sure the photo simply looks right. No tricks. No megapixels, no concern over focal length or shutter speed.
Thanks to the kid for refusing to look at the camera that day.
-=-
Olympus XA, expired Kodak Tri-X @400, Diafine.
Labels: annabel, baby, bw, composition, diafine, diy, olympus xa, xa
Friday, May 02, 2008
The Table, A Polaroid
The Six Million Dollar Woman.
Croton-on-Hudson, New York - May 2008
The mrs. took yesterday off from work, and we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at a place that we've been recommended by a couple of neighbors. With boxes still waiting to be unpacked and film taking up space in the fridge, freezer, and bathroom, I bought a pack of Polaroid 600 at the supermarket for $15. A few months ago, that was a ripoff, but now with the film on the way out and prices skyrocketing, pushing $20 at some stores, it was a steal. It'd have been a shame not to buy it.
I looked across the table, with my beer stupidly positioned just off frame to the right, unfolded the camera, heard a couple people chuckle or just raise their eyebrows at the near tables, and pushed the button, and out came this photo. There's nothing really specifically interesting about it. Nothing at all. Just a couple of glasses and a bottle of ketchup, with soft focus, but it's dying. Soon, there'll be none left. It's strange to look at the camera, and know that there's a finite amount of photos left in it, through no fault of its own, no fault of the masterful engineering that went into it. It's being forced into obsolescence. Knowing that it's going to be gone soon feels almost like watching a funeral.
I've noticed more and more Polaroids showing up on photo sites lately. Seems like people, myself included, are realizing what's going to be gone soon. I'd like to think that people are buying more Polaroid film, and shooting more film, and making more and more noise. I'd like to think that it'll be enough to save instant film, but will it?
-=-
Polaroid 600 film in an unmodified SX-70 Sonar Camera.
The Six Million Dollar Woman.
Croton-on-Hudson, New York - May 2008
The mrs. took yesterday off from work, and we decided to treat ourselves to lunch at a place that we've been recommended by a couple of neighbors. With boxes still waiting to be unpacked and film taking up space in the fridge, freezer, and bathroom, I bought a pack of Polaroid 600 at the supermarket for $15. A few months ago, that was a ripoff, but now with the film on the way out and prices skyrocketing, pushing $20 at some stores, it was a steal. It'd have been a shame not to buy it.
I looked across the table, with my beer stupidly positioned just off frame to the right, unfolded the camera, heard a couple people chuckle or just raise their eyebrows at the near tables, and pushed the button, and out came this photo. There's nothing really specifically interesting about it. Nothing at all. Just a couple of glasses and a bottle of ketchup, with soft focus, but it's dying. Soon, there'll be none left. It's strange to look at the camera, and know that there's a finite amount of photos left in it, through no fault of its own, no fault of the masterful engineering that went into it. It's being forced into obsolescence. Knowing that it's going to be gone soon feels almost like watching a funeral.
I've noticed more and more Polaroids showing up on photo sites lately. Seems like people, myself included, are realizing what's going to be gone soon. I'd like to think that people are buying more Polaroid film, and shooting more film, and making more and more noise. I'd like to think that it'll be enough to save instant film, but will it?
-=-
Polaroid 600 film in an unmodified SX-70 Sonar Camera.
Labels: 600, film, funeral, ketchup, polaroid, polaroid sx-70, sonar, table, water
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Jamie's Ball
I just want to go everywhere.
Near the New Croton Dam, Town of Cortlandt, NY - March 2008
Here's a little bit of a plug. Each year, my friend Jamie has a huge party, a ball, to celebrate his being free of testicular cancer. He's holding his last ball later this month to celebrate his being cancer-free for six years. It'll be March 29, 2008 from 9 PM to 2 AM at Pressure at 110 University Place, in Manhattan. It's $20 at the door, and goes to two great causes, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, and The Testicular Cancer Resource Center. If you're in town and can go, please do, or if you can swing it, you can donate online. For more info, check out www.jamiesball.com.
-=-
Minolta X-700, 50mm f/1.4, Fortepan 400 @400, Diafine.
I just want to go everywhere.
Near the New Croton Dam, Town of Cortlandt, NY - March 2008
Here's a little bit of a plug. Each year, my friend Jamie has a huge party, a ball, to celebrate his being free of testicular cancer. He's holding his last ball later this month to celebrate his being cancer-free for six years. It'll be March 29, 2008 from 9 PM to 2 AM at Pressure at 110 University Place, in Manhattan. It's $20 at the door, and goes to two great causes, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, and The Testicular Cancer Resource Center. If you're in town and can go, please do, or if you can swing it, you can donate online. For more info, check out www.jamiesball.com.
-=-
Minolta X-700, 50mm f/1.4, Fortepan 400 @400, Diafine.
Labels: "minolta x-700", ball, bw, cancer, charity, diafine, fortepan, jamie, minolta, party, testicular, x-700
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Happy Chanukah
I only read it to seem smart.
Brooklyn, New York - December 2007
I'm a couple of days late with this shot, I know, but happy holidays, everyone.
I only read it to seem smart.
Brooklyn, New York - December 2007
I'm a couple of days late with this shot, I know, but happy holidays, everyone.
Labels: candle, chanukah, fire, hanukkah, holiday, powershot, s80, winter "canon powershot s80" canon
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
At JFK
Shall I fire up some stogies?
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Queens, New York - November 2007
Waiting for the flight to Houston for Ro's wedding.
Shall I fire up some stogies?
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Queens, New York - November 2007
Waiting for the flight to Houston for Ro's wedding.
Labels: airport, bright, canon, canon powershot s80, jfk, nyc, powershot, queens, sun
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Coffee III
He's vacationing in Pakistan.
Brooklyn, New York - October 2007
Walking Millie around this neighborhood isn't always the most pleasant way to spend time. Either other people walk, keeping you from walking in a straight line, or drivers cut you off when you're trying to cross the street, or Millie walked a little too, or a little too unfocused. I might be the only guy around who doesn't particularly like walking his dog.
So, lately, I've been paying myself fifty cents every time I walk her. I know, I'm a big spender, but in one of the last bargains left in the world a deli not far from my apartment, which is on our walk route, happens to sell your regular every day self-service ten ounce coffee for a mere half dollar. Every day in Manhattan seems to break with one less place where you can get this kind of cup. It's the sort of coffee that in most of San Francisco would have the people in line and behind the counter confused about what I was asking for, "Regular coffee? You mean a half double banana latte with dry foam, right?" Either way, if you try, you're out three dollars.
It's kind of a waste to go out for a walk, buy a coffee in a paper cup that I'm just going to drink at home, where I can make my own coffee, but in my line of work, it's hard to make anything remotely breakfasty before 9:00.
We get great morning light in our apartment, and this morning was one of the best in a while. I took a few shots of this one cup sitting there by itself on the table, as cleared by Annabel. This was the best of them.
He's vacationing in Pakistan.
Brooklyn, New York - October 2007
Walking Millie around this neighborhood isn't always the most pleasant way to spend time. Either other people walk, keeping you from walking in a straight line, or drivers cut you off when you're trying to cross the street, or Millie walked a little too, or a little too unfocused. I might be the only guy around who doesn't particularly like walking his dog.
So, lately, I've been paying myself fifty cents every time I walk her. I know, I'm a big spender, but in one of the last bargains left in the world a deli not far from my apartment, which is on our walk route, happens to sell your regular every day self-service ten ounce coffee for a mere half dollar. Every day in Manhattan seems to break with one less place where you can get this kind of cup. It's the sort of coffee that in most of San Francisco would have the people in line and behind the counter confused about what I was asking for, "Regular coffee? You mean a half double banana latte with dry foam, right?" Either way, if you try, you're out three dollars.
It's kind of a waste to go out for a walk, buy a coffee in a paper cup that I'm just going to drink at home, where I can make my own coffee, but in my line of work, it's hard to make anything remotely breakfasty before 9:00.
We get great morning light in our apartment, and this morning was one of the best in a while. I took a few shots of this one cup sitting there by itself on the table, as cleared by Annabel. This was the best of them.
Labels: bw, canon powershot s80, coffee, home, living room, morning
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
A Baby Toy
It was just too soon to tell.
Brooklyn, New York - September 2007
One of the offspring's toys as seen by my Canon Powershot S80.
It was just too soon to tell.
Brooklyn, New York - September 2007
One of the offspring's toys as seen by my Canon Powershot S80.
Labels: baby toy, canon, canon powershot s80, sunlight, toy
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